Toy



Mmh 26, 1940. H, D, ADAMS TpY Filed April 5, 1939 Q, a# ATTORNEY hm. l vPLII:

y mechanism within the head.

Patented Mar. I2e, 1940 siDATE:1\1Tlv OFFICE] TOY l Harry D. Adams,Brookline, Mass.

' .dipp iicatnmv April s, 1939, serial No. 265,619

Claims.

The invention relates .to an improvement in toys, imitative of snakes,or other objects having sinuosity of movement,

The essential object of the invention is to provide a construction bywhich a sinuous move,- rnent may be imparted to the object with aminimum of frictional resistance, for in frictional resistance residesthe essential difficulty to be overcome.

A further object is to providea construction which may be operated ordriven by mechanism residing in the object itself, and which may beactuated by a contained spring.

The invention can best be seen and understood by reference to thedrawing in which the in vention is shown applied to an object in simulaItion of a snake.

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the object;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross section thereof longitudinally the objectonthe line 2.2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a cross section thereof on the line3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of oneof ments later to be referred to.

Fig. 5 is a cross section of the element onthe line 5-5 of Fig. 4. f

Fig. 6 is a plankof another of the elements later to be referred to.

Fig. 7 is an end elevation ofthe element shown in Fig. 6. f

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of a modified type of element later to bereferred to. v l

Fig. 9 is an end elevation of the element shown in Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a plan of the head of the object with the top section thereofremoved to show the the elell is a side elevation of an elemental partof the actuating mechanism. f

Referring to the drawing: I represents the body of the snake, 2 the tipat the tail end, and 3 the head. The body of the snake is made up of aplurality of segments 4 fashioned in manner to collectively give form tothe snake. The segments may be made of any suitable material possessingespecially the qualities of lightness andv smoothness of surfacethatwill impart as little frictional resistance as possible. The`segments may be` made of wood, but preferably from some compositionmaterial which maybe formed by molding, or stamping. The tip 2 atthetail end of the snake maybe made out of the same material as the bodyvsegments, but is made more or less elongated, and narrowing-tol a pointat the extreme tip end. The. head is (Cl. Li6-152) made in separablesections `5 and 6, starmgied` or,- otherwise formedout of thin-metalplate. The head is preferably made relatively large for within it islocated the mechanism which operates,I or furnishes the power forimparting sinuosity to,y the snake. The mechanism is supported by aframe 8 located within the head and affixed to the lower section 6thereof in any suitable manner, as by tongues 9 on the frame passedthrough the metal of the section on which the frame is resting, andclinched beneath it.

The ends of the body segments 4 are convexed and concaved, respectively,the concavity to the end of each segment describing an arc of a circlewhose radius is preferably substantially equal tot-he length of thesegment. The convex surface of each body segment has the same relativeyare so` that when the segments are brought together the joint I0between their meeting edges will describe said arc, 'thus enabling thesegments to `turn on each other, or relatively to each other. The end ofthe tip 2 is conveXed in the same manner as the other segments in orderthat theconcaved end of the body segment adjacent to it may have arcuateconnection with the tip.

All the segments 4, not including the tip 2, are cored to"l formcontinuous slots II, I2 through thern,`within which are containedseparate` ele-r ments I3, i4. Of these the element I3, contained in theslot II, acts to hold the segments together in proper operativerelationship to one another and permit of sinuosity being imparted tothe object. The other element I4, contained in the slot I2, is a drivenelement for imparting such sinuosity. The slot II is a relatively nar#row but vertically deep slot, although its vertical depth may vary,depending upon the size of the element I3 contained within it, which isnarrowed as approach is made to the tail end of the object where thebody segments are diminished .in size. The element i3 comprises a stripof any suitable material which will possess the quality of easy lateral`fiexibility without extensibility. In practice there is employed Larelatively thin strip of vulcanized fibre, or of some Cellulosicmaterial, preferablyy perforated throughout, to increase itsflexibility. The strip is made of such width that it will, whenvertically set on edge, about iill the slot Il through the segments, butwith a loose fit therein in order that the segments while supportedthereby lie floatingly supported thereon, with, freedom to moveinVrelation to each otherl so as to be easily movable in the plane in whichthey are lyingfs l with the least possible friction. The ends of thestrip are fixed, one end being xed to the tip 2 and the other end to thehead and this preferably by fixing it to the end segment adjacent thehead which is fixed to the lhead as will later be explained. With thestrip thus retained the segments become loosely threaded thereon andfloatingly supported thereby as aforesaid. The strip also acts toprevent the segments turning relatively to one another, the segmentsbeing retained to lie in theiroriginal plane although their positionsmay be changed in this plane as sinuosity is imparted to the object.During the impartation of such sinuosity the segments will move, orassume changed relative positions on i the strip, by sliding thereon andby turningflaterally on each other, the convexed endI of one segmentturning within the concaved end of the next adjacent segment, thusobtaining high iex- 0 ibiiity, with as inne friction as possible.

The slot I2 through the segments, in which is contained the element I4which imparts sinuosity to the object, is a relatively narrow slot,although of suflicient width to loosely contain 51 the lelement i4 whichconsists of a metal rod, or

wire, of generally sinusoidal or helicoidal form and of such appreciablesize as will enable it to retain its shape without flexing when rotatedwithin the slot I2. In depth, or vertical height,

aoithe slot I2 is made as deep as the size of the segments will permit,in order to receive an element I4 that may rotate vwithout exing withinthe slot and describe when turned as large a circle ,as possible, forupon the size of this circle will depend the extent to which sinuositycan be.

imparted to the object. Necessarily the circle within which the elementI4 may turn will vary according to the size of the segments within whichthe slots I2 are made. Where the seg- '1ments are made smallenand theslots I2 of less vertical depth, the element, or rod, I4 willnecessarily be formed to turn within a smaller circle than do otherparts of the rod which turn within a larger circle where the segmentsare made i5-larger and the slots I2 therein of increased vertical depth.In any event, the circle described by any part of the rod as the rod isturned should not Abe greater in its outside diameter than the verticaldepth of the slot within which said any part of the rod is turning.

The element, or rod, I4 has ends I5 and I 6, respectively. Between theseends the rod is preferably made in the form of an elongated helix, asshown in Fig. 6. It might be vmade,

also, with single plane sinuosity, as shown in Fig. 8. Of the ends I5and I6 of the rod, the end I5 extends through the back of the frame 8located in the head, and through a bearing I8 on this frame. The innerend of the rod accordingly is arranged to turn within the head 3 inseparate spaced bearings. The opposite end I5 of the rod is socketed toturn within the tip 2 at the tail end of the object. The ends I5 and llie within the axis around which the rod I4' turns, and as the-rod,`made helicoidal, or

sinuous, as aforesaid, is turned within the slots I2 in which it liesthe body segments I 4 of the object will accordingly be displaced by therod to the right or left by the bearing of vthe rod against the interiorside walls of the sockets within the segments whereby adjacent groups ofsegments will be displaced laterally in opposite" directions relative toeach other, thus imparting sinuosity to the object.l The helicoidal orsinu- 76 'ous form of the rod should be so elongated rthat its bearingagainst the body segments will be a gradual and easy bearing in order toeliminate frictional resistance as much as possible. As the segmentsbecome thus displaced they will move upon the element, or strip, I3 uponwhich they i are floatingly supported.l They will also turn upon eachother, the end one of the body segments turning upon the tail piece.These movements take place with little frictional resistance owingto themannervin-` which the body segments are mounted upon the strip I3, andthe I arced jointure between them.

' i 'I'he rod I 4 is turned by a driving mechanism 20 located within thehead, and which impartsA yits power to a face gear 2| on the `end of therod It. The driving Amechanism 2!) includes a coiled spring 22 karrangedupon a winding shaft 23 which aligns an opening 24 in the side of thehead, and is wound by means of a key. The driving mechanism includes,also, an escapement 25 co-operating with a star wheel 26 for preventingretraction of the spring when wound.

The escapement is provided with a finger release 25 which projectsthrough an opening 2 in the head. While'sinuosity of movement isimparted tothe object by the mechanism thusfar described, the object isrendered movable in a longitudinal direction, or made to travel, by

means of a set of wheels 28 fixed to a shaft '29 and projecting throughthe under side ofthe head. The vtraction afforded by these wheels withthe floor, or other surface on which the object is placed, enables it totravel over such surface. 'f

The two sections '5 and of the head have preferably a snap' fasteningengagementV with i one another which enables them to be combined, or thetop section removed on undoing the fas-` lease the top section andpermit of its removal' the bottom section can be pinched sufficiently todisengage the slots 33 therein from the tongues 32 on the top section,when the top section may be lifted and removed.

A further advantage of this construction for uniting the two headsections resides inthe fact that when the sides of the bottom sectionare contracted, and held contracted by the interlocking engagement ofthe top section as aforesaid, the sides of the bottom section will gripand hold the foremost one of the body segments 4 of the object whichslips into a neck extension 34 to the bottom section, and when its sidesare contracted the sides of the extension will grip and hold thesegment, thus obtaining a finished connection between the body segmentsof the` object and the head. y

Two of the strips I3 upon which the segments are floatingly arranged arepreferably employed. as better balance isvimparted thereby to the deviceduring the operation thereof. 'l

While it is described that the end of the element or rod, I4 is socketedto turn within the tip 2 at the tail end of the object, and which is aconstruction more to be desired,yet this may` bemsy dispensed with and agood result will be obtained in the animation of the object, inasmuchasthe rod is retained Within the head at points of separate bearingswell spaced from one another, thereby maintaining the rod to turn aroundits axis for eiecting displacementJ in opposite directions of groups ofbody segments, as previously explained.

I claim:

l. A toy imitative of an object havingsinuosity of movement, comprisinghead and tail ends and a body comprising a plurality of assembledsegments having a plurality of relatively narrow but vertically deepslots extending, respectively, continuously through them, a laterallyflexible substantially inextensible strip fixed to extend edgewisethrough one of said` slots in said body and upon which strip saidsegments in loose assembly are oatingly arranged, a rod extendingthrough another of said slots in said'body with ends retained to turnWithin said head and tail ends, respectively, that portion of the rodextending through the slots in said body being formed to describe whenturned a generally sinusoidal curve whereby adjacent groups of said bodysegments will be displaced laterally in opposite direc tions relative toeach other and sinuosity be thereby imparted to the toy as the rod isturned,r

said rod being substantially inflexible during the turning thereof andturning within circles of which the circle describedby any'part of therod as the rod is turned is not greater in its outside ,diameter thanthe vertical depth of the slot within which said any part of the rod isturning, and means for turning said rod.

2. Atoy imitative of an object having sinuosity of movement, comprisinghead and tail ends and a body comprising a plurality of assembledsegments, the ends of which are concaved and convexed, respectively, andwhich segments have, also, a plurality of relatively narrow butvertically deep slots extending, respectively, continuously throughthem, a laterally flexible substantially inextensible strip xed toextend edgewise through one of said slots in said body and upon whichstrip said segments in loose assembly are floatingly arranged, a rodextending through another ci said slots in said body with ends retainedto turn within said head and tail ends, respectively, that portion ofthe rod extending through the slots in said body being formed todescribe when turned 'a generally sinusoidal curve whereby adjacentgroups of said body segments will be displaced laterally in oppositedirections relative to each other and sinuosity be thereby imparted tothe toy as the rod. is turned, said rod being substantially inflexibleduring the turning thereof and turning within circles of which thecircle described by any part of the rod as the rod is turned is notgreater in its outside diameter than the vertical depth of the slotWithin which said any part of the rod is turning, and means for turningsaid rod.

3. A toy imitative of an object having sinuosity of movement, comprisinga head and a body comprising a plurality of assembled segments having aplurality of relatively narrow but vertically deep slots` extending,respectively, continuously throughthem, a laterally flexiblesubstantially inextensible strip fixed to extend edgewise through one ofsaid slots in said body andy upon which strip said segments in looseassembly are floatingly arranged, a rod extending through another ofsaid slots in said body with end retained to turn within said head, thatportion of the rod extending through the slots in saidy body beingformed to describe when turned a generally sinuosidal curve wherebyadjacent groups of said body segments will be displaced laterally inopposite directions relative to each other and sinuosity be therebyimparted to the toy as the rod is turned, said rod being substantiallyinflexible during the turning thereof and turning within circles ofwhich the circle described by any part of the rod as the rod is turnedis not greater in its outside diameterl than the vertical depth of the'slot within which said any part oi' in said body and upon which stripsaid segments in loose assembly are loatingly arranged, a rod extendingthrough anotherof said slots in said body with end retained to turnWithin said head, that portion of the rod extending through the slots insaid body being formed to describe when turned a generally sinusoidalcurve whereby acljacent groups of saidbody segments will be displacedlaterally in opposite directions relative to f each other and sinuositybe thereby imparted` to the toy as the rod is turned, said rod beingsubstantially inflexible during the turning thereof and turning withincircles of which the circle described by any part of the rod as the rodis turned is not greater in its outside diameter than the vertical depthof the slot within which said any part of the rod is turning, and meansfor turning said rod.

5. A toy imitative of an object vhaving sinuosity of movement,comprising a head and a body comprising a plurality of assembledsegments having a plurality of relatively narrow but vertically deepIslots extending, respectively, continuously through them, a laterallyflexible substantially inextensible strip xed to extend edgewise throughone of said slots in said body and upon which strip said segments inloose assembly are oatingly arranged, a rod extending through another ofsaid slots in said body with end retained to turn within said head, thatportion of the rod extending through the slots in said body being formedto describe when turned a generally sinusoidal curve whereby adjacentgroups of said body segments will be displaced laterally in oppositedirections relative to each other and sinuosity be thereby imparted tothe toy as the rod is turned, said rod being substantially inflexibleduring the turning thereof and turning within circles of which thecircle described by any part of the rod as therod is turned is notgreater in its outside diameter than the vertical depth of the slotwithin which said any part of the rod is turning, means for turning saidrod, and an actuating mechanism including a spring located in said head.

HARRY D. ADAMS.

yeo

